NY lawmakers to discuss Lake Ontario flooding

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York State lawmakers are looking at the causes of recent flooding along the shore lines of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The state Senate will hold a hearing Tuesday on the spring and summer floods in the community of Mexico in Oswego County. The calamity damaged homes and businesses, eroded shoreline and hurt the area's tourism economy just before its peak season.

Many upstate officials and lakefront property owners blame the flooding on the International Joint Commission, the U.S.-Canadian panel that controls the outflow of water from Lake Ontario. The commission says heavy rain was to blame.

Republican state Sen. Tom O'Mara says the hearing is intended to help residents and officials understand the factors that caused the flood, and ways officials can prevent future problems.

An additional hearing is expected to be held in Wayne County in November.